Methods for the treatment of cancer

ABSTRACT

Compositions and methods for the treatment of malignancy and chronic viral infection are disclosed.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

The present application is §371 application of PCT/US2004/005155 filed 20 Feb. 2004 which claims priority to US Provisional Applications 60/458,162 and 60/527,449 filed 27 Mar. 2003 and 5 Dec. 2003 respectively. The entire disclosure of each of the foregoing applications is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the fields of oncology and chemotherapy. Specifically, the invention provides novel methods for the treatment of cancer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tumors characteristically express atypical, potentially immunoreactive antigens that are collectively referred to as tumor antigens. Accumulating evidence suggests that the failure of the immune system to mount an effective response against progressively growing tumors is not attributable to a lack of recognizable tumor antigens. Immunosuppression by tumors is poorly understood and mechanisms by which tumors may escape immune surveillance are poorly explored. Recently, it has been shown that cytotoxic T cells become tolerized by a reduction in local concentrations of tryptophan that are elicited by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity.

IDO is an oxidoreductase that catalyzes the rate-limiting step in tryptophan catabolism. This enzyme is structurally distinct from tryptophan dioxygenase (TDO), which is responsible for dietary tryptophan catabolism in the liver. IDO is an IFN-γ target gene that has been suggested to play a role in immunomodulation (Mellor and Munn (1999) Immunol. Today. 20:469-473). Elevation of IDO activity depletes the levels of tryptophan in local cellular environments. Induction of IDO in antigen-presenting cells, where IDO is regulated by IFN-γ, blocks the activation of T cells, which are especially sensitive to tryptophan depletion. T cells must undergo 1-2 rounds of cell division to become activated, but in response to tryptophan depletion they arrest in G1 instead. In this way, IDO has been proposed to inhibit the T_(H)1 responses that promote cytotoxic T cell development.

The main evidence for the role of IDO in immunosuppression is demonstrated by the ability of 1-methyl-tryptophan (1MT), a specific and bioactive IDO inhibitor (Cady and Sono (1991) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 291:326-333), to elicit MHC-restricted and T cell-mediated rejection of allogeneic mouse concepti (Mellor et al. (2001) Nat. Immunol. 2:64-68; Munn et al. (1998) Science. 281: 1191-1193). This effect is consistent with the high levels of IDO expression in placental trophoblast cells (Sedlmayr et al. (2002) Mol. Hum. Reprod. 8:385-391).

Significantly, IDO activity has been shown to be elevated frequently in human tumors and/or in cancer patients (Yasui et al. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 83:6622-6626; Taylor and Feng (1991) FASEB J. 5:2516-22). Since IDO can modulate immune responses, one logical implication is that IDO elevation in cancer may promote tumor immunosuppression (Mellor and Munn (1999) Immunol. Today. 20:469-473; Munn et al. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 189:1363-1372; Munn et al. (1998) Science. 281:1191-1193). This possibility is supported by the observation that many cancers, including breast cancer, are characterized by a loss of beneficial immune functions that can limit malignant development. For example, T_(H)1 responses, of which IFN-γ production is a hallmark, that promote the production of cytotoxic T cells are suppressed during cancer progression. A resultant hypothesis of this data was that if IDO drives cancer progression by blunting T cell activation, then IDO inhibition in animals should blunt tumor growth by reversing IDO-mediated immunosuppression. However, delivery of the IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-tryptophan (1MT) only retarded and did not prevent tumor growth in a mouse model (Friberg et al. (2002) Int. J. Cancer 101:151-155; U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,416).

Cellular signal transduction, i.e., the series of events leading from extracellular events to intracellular sequelae, is an aspect of cellular function in both normal and disease states. Numerous proteins that function as signal transducing molecules have been identified, including receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, phosphatases and other molecules with enzymatic or regulatory activities. These molecules generally demonstrate the capacity to associate specifically with other proteins to form a signaling complex that can alter cellular proliferation.

Aberrant signal transduction can lead to malignant transformation, growth, and progression. Accordingly, inhibitors of signal transduction pathways have been used to treat cancer. During the past few years, a number of signal transduction inhibitors (STIs) have been developed and their ability to suppress tumor growth is currently under investigation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for treating a cancer in a patient in need thereof by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound that has been discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity in accordance with this invention. The compounds may be administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for treating a cancer in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient, concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor and at least one signal transduction inhibitor (STI). In a particular embodiment of the invention, the at least one STI is selected from the group consisting of bcr/abl kinase inhibitors, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor inhibitors, her-2/neu receptor inhibitors, and farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs). The compounds may be administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for treating a cancer in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient, concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor and at least one chemotherapeutic agent. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the at least one chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel (Taxol®), cisplatin, docetaxol, carboplatin, vincristine, vinblastine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, CPT-11, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, estramustine, carmustine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), etoposide, arsenic trioxide, irinotecan, and epothilone derivatives. The compounds may be administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium.

According to yet another aspect of the instant invention, a method is provided for treating a cancer in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient, concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one immunomodulator, other than an IDO inhibitor, and at least one cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent, at least one STI, or a combination of at least one cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent and at least one STI. In a particular embodiment the at least one immunomodulator is selected from the group consisting of CD40L, B7, B7RP1, ant-CD40, anti-CD38, anti-ICOS, 4-IBB ligand, dendritic cell cancer vaccine, IL2, IL12, ELC/CCL19, SLC/CCL21, MCP-1, IL-4, IL-18, TNF, IL-15, MDC, IFNa/b, M-CSF, IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-13, and anti-IL-10. In another particular embodiment, the at least one cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel (Taxol®), cisplatin, docetaxol, carboplatin, vincristine, vinblastine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, CPT-11, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, estramustine, carmustine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), etoposide, arsenic trioxide, irinotecan, and epothilone derivatives. The STI which may be used in practicing this aspect of the invention are those previously mentioned.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for treating a chronic viral infection in a patient in need thereof by administering to the patient, concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor and at least one chemotherapeutic agent. The at least one chemotherapeutic agent may be selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel (Taxol®), cisplatin, docetaxol, carboplatin, vincristine, vinblastine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, CPT-11, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, estramustine, carmustine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), etoposide, arsenic trioxide, irinotecan, and epothilone derivatives. Taxol® and cisplatin may be obtained from Hanna Pharmaceuticals (Wilmington, Del.).

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the treated chronic viral infection is selected from the group consisting of: hepatitis C virus (HCV), human papilloma virus (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus, coxsackie virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In another particular embodiment, the compounds may be administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are graphs showing the results of an enzyme assay for IDO inhibitors. Global nonlinear regression analysis of enzyme kinetic data was obtained for human IDO in the presence of increasing concentrations of A) 1MT and B) MTH-Trp. Data were plotted and analyzed using the Prism4 software package (GraphPad). Best fit values of Ki for 1MT=34.6 μM and for MTH-Trp=11.4 μM

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results of a cell-based IDO inhibitor assay involving 2 log dose escalation studies for 1MT against IDO, 1MT against TDO, and MTH-Trp against IDO. Data were plotted using the Prism4 data analysis program (GraphPad), and Hillslope and EC50 values were determined by nonlinear regression analysis.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the kynurenine metabolism pathway. IDO is an extrahepatic, interferon-γ inducible oxidoreductase. The product of the IDO reaction, N-formylkynurenine, is rapidly hydrolyzed to kynurenine. Kynurenine is distributed between tissue and blood spaces because there is little or no activity of the enzymes that further metabolize kynurenine in tissues. The major route of kynurenine clearance is excretion in urine after conversion to xanthurenic acid in the liver and/or kidneys, although it is also an intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway that produces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (Takikawa et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261:3648-3653; Thomas and Stocker (1999) Redox. Report 4:199-220).

FIGS. 4A-D are chromatograms showing the results of HPLC analysis of mouse serum. Serum was prepared by incubating collected blood samples at 4° C. overnight and removing the clot. Protein was removed by TCA precipitation. Samples were resolved on a 250 mm×4.5 mm Luna 5 μ C18 column (Phenomenex) in isocratic buffer consisting of 20% MeOH, 5% acetonitrile, 10 mM KPO₄ (pH 5.3), 0.15 mM EDTA. Serum samples were prepared from male FVB strain mice treated as follows: A) Untreated (serum was spiked with 30 μM each of the following control compounds; tryptophan, kynurenine, and 1MT); B) Untreated (55 μM serum tryptophan is detectable); C) LPS challenged for 24 hrs. (induction of kynurenine to 5.6 μM is detectable), D) 1MT pellets implanted subcutaneously for 3 days (104 μM 1MT is detectable). Output sensitivity (Y-axis) has been adjusted at 6.66 and 14.5 minutes to optimize for each anticipated peak height. Ky=kynurenine, W=tryptophan, 1MT=1-methyl-tryptophan.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the fold change in tumor volume of MMTVneu mice either mock treated (untreated) or treated with 1MT, L-744,832 (FTI), 1MT and L-744,832, and 1MT with or without certain chemotherapeutic agents. Each data point was determined from an individual mouse and the bars indicate the mean of the data points as listed at the bottom of the graph.

FIG. 6 is a graph of the results from an in vitro biochemical assay for screening of IDO inhibitor candidates. Data is provided relative to the amount of kynurenine produced in the absence of inhibitor.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are graphs of the results from the cell-based assay for screening of IDO inhibitor candidates. In FIG. 7A, data is provided relative to the amount of kynurenine produced in the absence of inhibitor. In FIG. 7B, the data is presented in terms of fluorescence, which is indicative of kynurenine production (i.e., IDO activity). Cells were either transfected with an empty expression vector (vector) or an expression vector containing the cDNA of IDO.

FIG. 8 provides graphs of the thiohydantoin derivatives of indoleamine in the cell-based assay for screening of IDO inhibitor candidates. The cells were transfected with empty expression vectors (vector) or with expression vectors which contain IDO or TDO. For comparison, cells transfected with the IDO expression vector were also assayed in the presence of lMT.

FIG. 9 is a chart of certain IDO inhibitors, their structures, and their ability to inhibit IDO and TDO activity at a concentration of 250 μM in a cell-based assay.

FIG. 10 provides graphs demonstrating the toxicity of certain IDO inhibitors of neoplastically transformed breast (top panel) or prostate (bottom panel) cancer cells. Cells were either untreated (Untx) or treated with 100 μM of inhibitor.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating the fold change in tumor volume of MMTVneu mice either mock treated (untreated) or treated with 1MT, paclitaxel (Taxol®), 1MT and paclitaxel (Taxol®), cisplatin, or 1MT and cisplatin. Each data point was determined from an individual mouse and the bars indicate the mean of the data points as listed at the bottom of the graph.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, a group of novel IDO inhibitors are provided. Also encompassed within the invention are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such IDO inhibitors and methods of use thereof for inhibiting tumor growth.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a combination treatment protocol is provided comprising administration of an IDO inhibitor with a chemotherapeutic agent, which provides an effective means of suppressing tumor growth.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a combination treatment protocol is provided comprising administration of an IDO inhibitor with a signal transduction inhibitor (STI), which provides an effective means of suppressing tumor growth.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a combination treatment protocol is provided comprising administration of an immunomodulator with a chemotherapeutic agent, which provides an effective means of suppressing tumor growth.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a combination treatment protocol is provided, for the treatment of a chronic viral infection, comprising the administration of an IDO inhibitor and a chemotherapeutic agent.

I. Definitions

The term “IDO inhibitor” refers to an agent capable of inhibiting the activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and thereby reversing IDO-mediated immunosuppression. An IDO inhibitor may be a competitive, noncompetitive, or irreversible IDO inhibitor. “A competitive IDO inhibitor” is a compound that reversibly inhibits IDO enzyme activity at the catalytic site (for example, without limitation, 1-methyl-tryptophan); “a noncompetitive IDO Inhibitor” is a compound that reversibly inhibits IDO enzyme activity at a non-catalytic site (for example, without limitation, norharman); and “an irreversible IDO inhibitor” is a compound that irreversibly destroys IDO enzyme activity by forming a covalent bond with the enzyme (for example, without limitation, cyclopropyl/aziridinyl tryptophan derivatives).

IDO inhibitors of the instant invention may include, without limitation, i) compounds previously identified as having IDO inhibitory activity, including, but not limited to: 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan (1MT; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), β-(3-benzofuranyl)-DL-alanine (Sigma-Aldrich), beta-(3-benzo(b)thienyl)-DL-alanine (Sigma-Aldrich), 6-nitro-L-tryptophan (Sigma-Aldrich), indole 3-carbinol (LKT Laboratories; St. Paul, Minn.), 3,3′-diindolylmethane (LKT Laboratories), epigallocatechin gallate (LKT Laboratories), 5-Br-4-Cl-indoxyl 1,3-diacetate (Sigma-Aldrich), 9-vinylcarbazole (Sigma-Aldrich), acemetacin (Sigma-Aldrich), 5-bromo-DL-tryptophan (Sigma-Aldrich), 5-bromoindoxyl diacetate (Sigma-Aldrich), brassilexin (Sigma-Aldrich), 3-amino-2-naphthoic acid (Sigma-Aldrich), β-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich), 3-butyl-β-carboline (Peterson, A. C., et al. (1993) Med. Chem. Res. 3:473-482), 6-fluoro-3-carbomethoxy-β-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich), 6-isothiocyanate-3-carbomethoxy-p-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich), 3-propoxy-β-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich), 3-carboxy-β-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich), 3-carbopropoxy-β-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich), and 3-carbo-tert-butoxy-β-carboline (Sigma-Aldrich); ii) compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with this invention, but which have no previously established anti-tumor effect, including, but not limited to: phenyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-phenyl-thiohydantoin)-indole) (Sigma-Aldrich), propenyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-allyl-thiohydantoin)-indole) (Asinex; Moscow, Russia), and methyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-methyl-thiohydantoin)-indole) (Sigma-Aldrich); and iii) compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with the present invention, and previously identified as anti-tumor agents, including, but not limited to: brassinin (LKT Laboratories), 5-methyl-brassinin (Mehta, et al. (1994) Anticancer Res., 14:1209-1213); 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM; LKT Laboratories), and indole-3-carbinol (I3C; LKT Laboratories).

A “signal transduction inhibitor” is an agent that selectively inhibits vital step(s) in signaling pathways, in the normal function of cancer cells, and thereby leading to apoptosis.

Signal transduction inhibitors (STIs) of the instant invention include, but are not limited to, (i) bcr/abl kinase inhibitors such as, for example, STI 571 (Gleevec) and derivatives thereof; (ii) epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor inhibitors such as, for example, kinase inhibitors (Iressa, SSI-774) and antibodies (Imclone: C225 [Goldstein et al. (1995), Clin Cancer Res. 1:1311-1318], and Abgenix: ABX-EGF); (iii) her-2/neu receptor inhibitors such as, for example, Herceptin™ (trastuzumab), and farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTI) such as, for example, L-744,832 (Kohl et al. (1995), Nat Med. 1(8):792-797); (iv) inhibitors of Akt family kinases or the Akt pathway, such as, for example, rapamycin (see, for example, Sekulic et al. (2000) Cancer Res. 60:3504-3513); (v) cell cycle kinase inhibitors such as, for example, flavopiridol and UCN-01 (see, for example, Sausville (2003) Curr. Med. Chem. Anti-Canc Agents 3:47-56); and (vi) phosphatidyl inositol kinase inhibitors such as, for example, LY294002 (see, for example, Vlahos et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:5241-5248).

A “therapeutically effective amount” of a compound or a pharmaceutical composition refers to an amount sufficient to modulate tumor growth or metastasis in an animal, especially a human, including without limitation decreasing tumor growth or size or preventing formation of tumor growth in an animal lacking any tumor formation prior to administration, i.e., prophylactic administration.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable” indicates approval by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly in humans.

A “carrier” refers to, for example, a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, auxilliary agent or vehicle with which an active agent of the present invention is administered. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Water or aqueous saline solutions and aqueous dextrose and glycerol solutions are preferably employed as carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin.

“Concurrently” means (1) simultaneously in time, or (2) at different times during the course of a common treatment schedule.

“Sequentially” refers to the administration of one active agent used in the method followed by administration of another active agent. After administration of one active agent, the next active agent can be administered substantially immediately after the first, or the next active agent can be administered after an effective time period after the first active agent; the effective time period is the amount of time given for realization of maximum benefit from the administration of the first active agent.

II. Therapy for the Treatment of Cancer

The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one IDO inhibitor, wherein the at least one IDO inhibitor comprises at least one compound discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity in accordance with this invention, but which has no previously established anti-tumor effect, selected from the group of, without limitation: phenyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-phenyl-thiohydantoin)-indole), propenyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-allyl-thiohydantoin)-indole), and methyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-methyl-thiohydantoin)-indole), in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such a pharmaceutical composition may be administered, in a therapeutically effective amount, to a patient in need of cancer treatment.

Moreover, the present invention provides a method for the treatment of cancer by administering to a patient, in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the IDO inhibitors mentioned immediately above.

Cancers that may be treated using the present protocol include, but are not limited to: cancers of the prostate, colorectum, pancreas, cervix, stomach, endometrium, brain, liver, bladder, ovary, testis, head, neck, skin (including melanoma and basal carcinoma), mesothelial lining, white blood cell (including lymphoma and leukemia) esophagus, breast, muscle, connective tissue, lung (including small-cell lung carcinoma and non-small-cell carcinoma), adrenal gland, thyroid, kidney, or bone; glioblastoma, mesothelioma, renal cell carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, sarcoma, choriocarcinoma, cutaneous basocellular carcinoma, and testicular seminoma.

III. Combinatorial Therapies for the Treatment of Cancer

The present invention provides additional methods for tumor suppression. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that the combination of an IDO inhibitor with a signal transduction inhibitor (STI) act synergistically to suppress tumor growth. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer in a patient comprising at least one IDO inhibitor and at least one STI in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is a method for treating cancer in a patient by administering an effective amount of at least one IDO inhibitor in combination with at least one STI. Suitable IDO inhibitors include any compound which exhibits IDO inhibitory activity. Suitable STIs, as noted hereinabove, include, but are not limited to: (i) bcr/abl kinase inhibitors such as, for example, STI 571 (Gleevec) and derivatives thereof; (ii) epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor inhibitors such as, for example, kinase inhibitors (Iressa, SSI-774) and antibodies (Imclone: C225 [Goldstein et al. (1995), Clin Cancer Res. 1:1311-1318], and Abgenix: ABX-EGF); (iii) her-2/neu receptor inhibitors such as, for example, Herceptin™ (trastuzumab) and farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTI) such as, for example, L-744,832 (Kohl et al. (1995), Nat Med. 1(8):792-797); (iv) inhibitors of Akt family kinases or the Akt pathway, such as, for example, rapamycin (see, for example, Sekulic et al. (2000) Cancer Res. 60:3504-3513); (v) cell cycle kinase inhibitors such as, for example, flavopiridol and UCN-01 (see, for example, Sausville (2003) Curr. Med. Chem. Anti-Canc Agents 3:47-56); and (vi) phosphatidyl inositol kinase inhibitors such as, for example, LY294002 (see, for example, Vlahos et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:5241-5248).

The at least one IDO inhibitor may be selected from compounds of the group consisting of: i) compounds previously established to exhibit IDO inhibitory properties including, but not limited to: 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan (1MT), β-(3-benzofuranyl)-DL-alanine, beta-(3-benzo(b)thienyl)-DL-alanine, 6-nitro-L-tryptophan, indole 3-carbinol, 3,3′-diindolylmethane, epigallocatechin gallate, 5-Br-4-Cl-indoxyl 1,3-diacetate, 9-vinylcarbazole, acemetacin, 5-bromo-DL-tryptophan, 5-bromoindoxyl diacetate, brassilexin, 3-amino-2naphthoic acid, β-carboline, 3-butyl-β-carboline, 6-fluoro-3-carbomethoxy-β-carboline, 6-isothiocyanate-3-carbomethoxy-β-carboline, 3-propoxy-β-carboline, 3-carboxy-β-carboline, 3-carbopropoxy-β-carboline, and 3-carbo-tert-butoxy-β-carboline; ii) compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with this invention, but which have no previously established anti-tumor effect including, but not limited to: phenyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-phenyl-thiohydantoin)-indole), propenyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-allyl-thiohydantoin)-indole), and methyl-TH-DL-trp (3-(N-methyl-thiohydantoin)-indole). In a certain embodiment, the group of IDO inhibitors may additionally include compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with the present invention, and previously identified as anti-tumor agents, including, but not limited to brassinin, 5-methyl-brassinin, 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), and indole-3-carbinol (I3C).

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the at least one IDO inhibitor and at least one STI may be administered to the patient concurrently or sequentially. In other words, the at least one IDO inhibitor may be administered first, the at least one STI may be administered first, or the at least one IDO inhibitor and the at least one STI may be administered at the same time. Additionally, when more than one IDO inhibitor and/or STI is used, the compounds may be administered in any order.

Cancers that may be treated using the present combinatorial protocol include, but are not limited to those cancers described hereinabove.

In addition to IDO, other molecules are known to be involved in immunomodulation. These other molecules may also be potential targets for suppressing tumor growth in cancer patients. Accordingly, the present invention also provides combinatorial methods of treating cancer patients by the administration at least one immunomodulator, other than an IDO inhibitor, in conjunction with at least one chemotherapeutic agent. Suitable immunomodulators that may be used in the present invention include, without limitation: co-stimulatory molecules, such as, CD40L, B7, and B7RP1; activating monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to co-stimulatory receptors, such as, ant-CD40, anti-CD38, anti-ICOS, and 4-IBB ligand; dendritic cell antigen loading (in vitro or in vivo); dendritic cell cancer vaccine; cytokines/chemokines, such as, IL1, IL2, IL12, IL18, ELC/CCL19, SLC/CCL21, MCP-1, IL-4, IL-18, TNF, IL-15, MDC, IFNa/b, M-CSF, IL-3, GM-CSF, IL-13, and anti-IL-10; bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS); and immune-stimulatory oligonucleotides (e.g., poly CpG DNA (see, for example, Verthelyi and Zeuner (2003) Tr. Immunol. 24:519-522)). Suitable chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, chemotherapeutic agents described hereinbelow and signal transduction inhibitors are as described hereinabove (STIs).

In accordance with the present invention, it has also been discovered that the combination of an IDO inhibitor with a chemotherapeutically act synergistically to suppress tumor growth. Accordingly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of cancer in a patient comprising at least one IDO inhibitor and at least one chemotherapeutic agent in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided is a method for treating cancer in a patient by administering an effective amount of at least one IDO inhibitor in combination with at least one chemotherapeutic agent. Suitable IDO inhibitors include any compound which exhibits IDO inhibitory activity. Suitable chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited to: paclitaxel (Taxol®), cisplatin, docetaxol, carboplatin, vincristine, vinblastine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, CPT-11, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, estramustine, carmustine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), etoposide, arsenic trioxide, irinotecan, and epothilone derivatives.

The at least one IDO inhibitor may be selected from the group consisting of: i) known IDO inhibitors as previously described and ii) compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with this invention, also previously described herein. In a certain embodiment, the group of IDO inhibitors may additionally include compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with the present invention, and previously identified as anti-tumor agents, including, but not limited to brassinin, 5-methyl-brassinin, 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), and indole-3-carbinol (I3C).

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the at least one IDO inhibitor and at least one STI may be administered to the patient concurrently or sequentially. In other words, the at least one IDO inhibitor may be administered first, the at least one chemotherapeutic agent may be administered first, or the at least one IDO inhibitor and the at least one chemotherapeutic agent may be administered at the same time. Additionally, when more than one IDO inhibitor and/or chemotherapeutic agent is used, the compounds may be administered in any order.

Cancers that may be treated using the present combinatorial protocol include, but are not limited to those cancers set forth hereinabove.

IV. Combinatorial Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Viral Infections

The present invention also provides a method for treating a chronic viral infection by a combination protocol comprising administration of an IDO inhibitor with a chemotherapeutic agent. Additionally, the method also comprises administering an antiviral agent (i.e., an agent which can treat a viral infection) in coordination with the IDO inhibitor and chemotherapeutic agent.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a chronic viral infection in a patient comprising at least one IDO inhibitor, at least one cancer therapeutic drug in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and, optionally, at least one antiviral agent. Also provided is a method for treating a chronic viral infection in a patient by administering an effective amount of at least one IDO inhibitor in combination with at least one chemotherapeutic agent and, optionally, at least one antiviral agent.

The at least one IDO inhibitor may be selected from the group consisting of: i) known IDO inhibitors as previously described and ii) compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with this invention, also previously described herein. In a certain embodiment, the group of IDO inhibitor may additionally include compounds discovered to have IDO inhibitory activity, in accordance with the present invention, and previously identified as anti-tumor agents, including, but not limited to brassinin, 5-methyl-brassinin, 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), and indole-3-carbinol (I3C).

Suitable chemotherapeutic agents are any compounds that exhibit anticancer activity including, but are not limited to: alkylating agents (e.g., nitrogen mustards such as chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, isofamide, mechlorethamine, melphalan, and uracil mustard; aziridines such as thiotepa; methanesulphonate esters such as busulfan; nitroso ureas such as carmustine, lomustine, and streptozocin; platinum complexes such as cisplatin and carboplatin; bioreductive alkylators such as mitomycin, procarbazine, dacarbazine and altretamine); DNA strand-breakage agents (e.g., bleomycin); topoisomerase II inhibitors (e.g., amsacrine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, doxorubicin, etoposide, and teniposide); DNA minor groove binding agents (e.g., plicamydin); antimetabolites (e.g., folate antagonists such as methotrexate and trimetrexate; pyrimidine antagonists such as fluorouracil, fluorodeoxyuridine, CB3717, azacitidine, cytarabine, and floxuridine; purine antagonists such as mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, fludarabine, pentostatin; asparginase; and ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors such as hydroxyurea); tubulin interactive agents (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, and paclitaxel (Taxol)); hormonal agents (e.g., estrogens; conjugated estrogens; ethinyl estradiol; diethylstilbesterol; chlortrianisen; idenestrol; progestins such as hydroxyprogesterone caproate, medroxyprogesterone, and megestrol; and androgens such as testosterone, testosterone propionate, fluoxymesterone, and methyltestosterone); adrenal corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and prednisolone); leutinizing hormone releasing agents or gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (e.g., leuprolide acetate and goserelin acetate); and antihormonal antigens (e.g., tamoxifen, antiandrogen agents such as flutamide; and antiadrenal agents such as mitotane and aminoglutethimide). Preferably, the chemotheraputic agent is selected from the group consisting of: paclitaxel (Taxol®), cisplatin, docetaxol, carboplatin, vincristine, vinblastine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, CPT-11, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, estramustine, carmustine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), etoposide, arsenic trioxide, irinotecan, and epothilone derivatives.

Suitable antiviral agents include, without limitation: acyclovir; gangcyclovir; foscarnet; ribavirin; and antiretrovirals such as, for example, nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., azidothymidine (AZT), ddl, ddC, 3TC, d4T), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., efavirenz, nevirapine), nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the at least one IDO inhibitor and at least one chemotherapeutic agent may be administered to the patient concurrently or sequentially. In other words, the at least one IDO inhibitor may be administered first, the at least one chemotherapeutic agent may be administered first, or the at least one IDO inhibitor and the at least one STI may be administered at the same time. Additionally, when more than one IDO inhibitor and/or chemotherapeutic agent is used, the compounds may be administered in any order. Similarly, the antiviral agent may also be administered at any point.

The compounds of this combination treatment may also be administered for localized infections. Specifically, the at least one IDO inhibitor, at least one chemotherapeutic agent, and, optionally, at least one antiviral agent may be administered to treat skin infections such as shingles and warts. The compounds may be administered in any pharmaceutically acceptable topical carrier including, without limitation: gels, creams, lotions, ointments, powders, aerosols and other conventional forms for applying medication to the skin.

Chronic viral infections that may be treated using the present combinatorial treatment include, but are not limited to, diseases caused by: hepatitis C virus (HCV), human papilloma virus (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus, coxsackie virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Notably, parasitic infections (e.g. malaria) may also be treated by the above methods wherein compounds known to treat the parasitic conditions are optionally added in place of the antiviral agents.

V. Administration of Pharmaceutical Compositions and Compounds

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be administered by any suitable route, for example, by injection, by oral, pulmonary, nasal or other methods of administration. In general, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention, comprise, among other things, pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, preservatives, solubilizers, emulsifiers, adjuvants and/or carriers. Such compositions can include diluents of various buffer content (e.g., Tris-HCl, acetate, phosphate), pH and ionic strength; and additives such as detergents and solubilizing agents (e.g., Tween 80, Polysorbate 80), anti-oxidants (e.g., ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfite), preservatives (e.g., Thimersol, benzyl alcohol) and bulking substances (e.g., lactose, mannitol). The compositions can be incorporated into particulate preparations of polymeric compounds such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, etc., or into liposomes. Such compositions may influence the physical state, stability, rate of in vivo release, and rate of in vivo clearance of components of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. (1990, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. 18042) pages 1435-1712 which are herein incorporated by reference. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be prepared, for example, in liquid form, or can be in dried powder form (e.g., lyophilized). Particular methods of administering pharmaceutical compositions are described hereinabove.

In yet another embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be delivered in a controlled release system, such as using an intravenous infusion, an implantable osmotic pump, a transdermal patch, liposomes, or other modes of administration. In a particular embodiment, a pump may be used (see Langer, supra; Sefton, CRC Crit. Ref. Biomed. Eng. (1987) 14:201; Buchwald et al., Surgery (1980) 88:507; Saudek et al., N. Engl. J. Med. (1989) 321:574). In another embodiment, polymeric materials may be employed (see Medical Applications of Controlled Release, Langer and Wise (eds.), CRC Press: Boca Raton, Fla. (1974); Controlled Drug Bioavailability, Drug Product Design and Performance, Smolen and Ball (eds.), Wiley: New York (1984); Ranger and Peppas, J. Macromol. Sci. Rev. Macromol. Chem. (1983) 23:61; see also Levy et al., Science (1985) 228:190; During et al., Ann. Neurol. (1989) 25:351; Howard et al., J. Neurosurg. (1989) 71:105). In yet another embodiment, a controlled release system can be placed in proximity of the target tissues of the animal, thus requiring only a fraction of the systemic dose (see, e.g., Goodson, in Medical Applications of Controlled Release, supra, (1984) vol. 2, pp. 115-138). In particular, a controlled release device can be introduced into an animal in proximity of the site of inappropriate immune activation or a tumor. Other controlled release systems are discussed in the review by Langer (Science (1990) 249:1527-1533).

The following examples are provided to illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. These examples are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

EXAMPLE 1 Evaluation of Novel IDO Inhibitors

1. Biochemical Evaluation of Novel IDO Inhibitors:

Overview: The biochemistry of IDO is well established, the enzyme having first been isolated in 1963 (Higuchi, K., et al. (1963) Federation Proc. 22:243 (abstr.); Shimizu, T., et al. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253:4700-6). IDO is a monomeric, haem-containing oxidoreductase with a molecular weight of approximately 41 kDa. To maintain the active ferrous form during in vitro catalysis, the enzyme requires methylene blue in combination with either superoxide or a reductant such as ascorbic acid. In vivo, it is suggested that a flavin or tetrahydrobiopterin may fulfill the role of the methylene blue dye and that there is likely to be a specific site for noncompetitive IDO inhibitors. Active enzyme can be produced by expressing the cloned, His-tagged version of the mammalian gene in bacteria (Littlejohn, T. K., et al. (2000) Prot. Exp. Purif. 19:22-29). This provides a convenient source of enzyme for biochemical analysis. A conventional biochemical assay for IDO activity based on spectaphotometric measurement of the production kynurenine (the hydrolysis product of N-formyl-kynurenine) from tryptophan (Daubener, W., et al. (1994) J. Immunol. Methods 168:39-47) is used as the read-out for both the enzymatic and cell-based assays. The enzymatic assay provides a facile, high-throughput screen for identifying compounds with IDO inhibitory activity. This assay is also used to determine Ki values for specific compounds, which is important for the development of SAR (structure activity relationship) around the different compound series. The cell-based assay both confirms the IDO inhibitory activity of identified compounds, and addresses the initial issue of bioavailability—the ability of compounds to inhibit intracellular IDO. Specificity for IDO inhibition is examined in the cell-based assay by comparing against the other known tryptophan catabolizing enzyme tryptophan dioxygenase (TDO, also referred to in the literature as TDO2).

Methods: cDNA clones for both human and mouse IDO have been isolated and verified by sequencing. To prepare enzyme for biochemical studies, C-terminal His-tagged IDO protein can be produced in E.coli using the IPTG-inducible pETSa vector system and isolated over a nickel column. The yield of the partially purified protein can be verified by gel electrophoresis and the concentration estimated by comparison to protein standards. To assay IDO enzymatic activity, a 96-well plate spectraphotometric assay for kynurenine production can be run following published procedures (Littlejohn, T. K., et al. (2000) Prot. Exp. Purif. 19:22-29; Takikawa, O., et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:2041-8). To screen for evidence of IDO inhibitory activity, compounds can be evaluated at a single concentration of, for example, 200 μM against 50 ng of IDO enzyme in 100 μl reaction volumes with tryptophan added at increasing concentrations at, for example, 0, 2, 20, and 200 μM. Kynurenine production can be measured at 1 hour. More extensive enzyme kinetic data can be collected for selected compounds of interest. Best fit Ki value determinations for 1MT (Ki=34.6 μM) and for MTH-Trp (Ki=11.4 μM) are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. These data indicate that the thiohydantoin form directly inhibits IDO enzyme activity with about 3-fold greater potency than is achieved with 1MT.

The following procedure is an example of a cell-based assay. COS-1 cells are transiently transfected with a CMV promoter-driven plasmid expressing IDO CDNA using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) as recommended by the manufacturer. A companion set of cells is transiently transfected with TDO-expressing plasmid. 48 hours post-transfection the cells are apportioned into a 96-well format at 6×10⁴ cells per well. The following day the wells are washed and new media (phenol red free) containing 20 μg/ml tryptophan is added together with inhibitor. The reaction is stopped at 5 hours and the supernatant removed and spectraphotometrically assayed for kynurenine as described for the enzyme assay (Littlejohn, T. K., et al. (2000) Prot. Exp. Purif. 19:22-29; Takikawa, O., et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263:2041-8). To obtain initial confirmation of IDO activity, compounds can be evaluated at a single concentration of, for example, 100 μM. More extensive dose escalation profiles can be collected for select compounds. EC50 value determinations for 1MT (EC50=267 μM) and for MTH-Trp (EC50=12.9 μM) are shown in FIG. 2. These data indicate that MTH-Trp is substantially more potent against intracellular IDO (˜20-fold) than is 1MT.

2. Pharmacodynamic/Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Compounds Discovered to have IDO Inhibitory Activity, in Accordance with this Invention:

Overview: Intraperitoneal administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces IDO activity in a variety of tissues resulting in the production of kynurenine and its release into the bloodstream (FIG. 3). Peak kynurenine levels are reached one day after LPS administration (Takikawa, O., et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261:3648-53; Yoshida, H., et al. (1998) Cell 94:739-750). The pharmacodynamic assay described here is based on measuring serum levels of both kynurenine and tryptophan. Calculating the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio provides an estimate of IDO activity that is independent of baseline tryptophan levels (Fuchs, D., et al. (1991) Immunol. Lett. 28:207-11; Gasse, T., et al. (1994) Eur. J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 32:685-9), and this approach to measuring IDO activity has been used frequently in humans. The principle advantage of this approach over the direct assessment of IDO enzymatic activity in tissue is that it is a non-invasive procedure permitting multiple samples to be collected from the same animal. This enables IDO activity to be monitored in a single mouse at multiple time points. Tryptophan and kynurenine levels in the serum can be determined by HPLC analysis. The level of compound in serum can also be determined in the same HPLC run, thus permitting concurrent collection of pharmacokinetic data in a single experiment.

Methods: FVB MMTV-neu male mice at ˜8-10 weeks of age can be used to perform the bulk of the pharmacodynamic analysis because their genetic background is the same as that of the MMTV-neu females mice that are used in the mammary gland tumor model to evaluate compound efficacy. Salmonella Minnesota mutant strain R-595 (S. Minnesota R) derived LPS has been shown to elicit the most sustained level of kynurenine induction in a comparative analysis of LPS preparations from different bacterial strains (Yoshida, R., et al. (1981) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 212:629-37). Because it provides the widest window in which to evaluate the impact of IDO inhibitors, this preparation of LPS can be used in the pharmacodynamic assay. The minimum i.p. bolus dose of S. minnesota R LPS that elicits maximal IDO activity has been reported to be −1 mg/kg and maximal IDO activation is reached by −24 hr. following LPS treatment (Yoshida, R., et al. (1981) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 212:629-37).

Serum levels of kynurenine and tryptophan can be quantitatively determined by HPLC analysis (Hwu, P., et al. (2000) J Immunol 164:3596-9; Widner, B., et al. (1997) Clin. Chem. 43:2424-6; FIGS. 4A-4D). By this procedure, serum concentrations of at least 1.25 μM kynurenine and 3 μM tryptophan are detected. In unchallenged FVB male mice the serum kynurenine is at or below the limit of detection and serum tryptophan is readily detectable at ˜50 μM (FIG. 4B). 24 hr after LPS challenge, serum kynurenine is induced to ˜6 μM (FIG. 4C). 1MT in serum at a concentration of at least 5 μM can also be effectively measured. This is well below the serum levels of ˜100 μM 1MT achieved with biologically efficacious dosing of 2×140 mg 1MT pellets (FIG. 4D).

Compounds can be evaluated first by challenging with LPS and then subsequently administering a bolus dose of compound at the time that the serum kynurenine level plateaus. The kynurenine pool is rapidly turned over with a half-life in serum of less than 10 minutes (Bender, and McCreanor (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 717:56-60; Takikawa, O., et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261:3648-53) so that pre-existing kynurenine is not expected to unduly mask the impact that IDO inhibition has on kynurenine production. The vehicle chosen for administration can depend in large part on the physical properties of each particular compound. The preferred vehicle is isotonic saline, but this requires that the compound be soluble in aqueous solution. It is anticipated that some compounds may not be sufficiently soluble, in which case the compounds can be administered as a suspension in Methocel®/Tween® (0.5% methylcellulose/1% Tween® 80).

Each experiment can include non-LPS-exposed mice (to determine baseline kynurenine levels against which to compare the other mice) and a set of LPS-exposed mice dosed with vehicle alone (to provide a positive control for IDO activation). Mice can be monitored following LPS administration and immediately euthanized if they present with signs of pronounced endotoxemia (ruffled fur, sluggishness). Each compound can initially be evaluated in mice at a single high i.p. bolus dose in the range of at least 100 mg/kg. Blood can be collected at defined time intervals (for example, 50 μl/sample at 5, 15, 30 min., 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hr. following compound administration) for HPLC analysis of kynurenine and tryptophan levels (pharmacodynamic analysis) as well as for the level of compound (pharmacokinetic analysis). From the pharmacokinetic data the peak serum concentration of compound achieved can be determined as well as the estimated rate of clearance. By comparing the level of compound in serum relative to the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio at various time points, the effective IC₅₀ for IDO inhibition in vivo can be roughly estimated.

Based on the results of the single dose study, a second dose escalation study can be conducted for every efficacious compound. The study can be, for example, aimed at a maximum dose that achieves 100% IDO inhibition at the peak concentration (if possible) in one cohort of mice and dose additional cohorts with concentrations that decrease in 3-fold stepwise increments to cover a 2 log₁₀ range between the highest and lowest doses. Accurate IC₅₀ determinations can be extracted from these data. The same approach can be used to test for oral bioavailability of biologically active compounds, first testing each compound at a single maximum concentration p.o. bolus dose and then further evaluating those compounds that exhibit significant oral efficacy in a dose escalation study. To ensure that in vivo responsiveness is not subject to sexual dimorphism, a single i.p bolus dose experiment can be carried out in female mice at the calculated IC₅₀ dose for each active compound.

EXAMPLE 2 Combinatorial Treatment of Tumors with an IDO Inhibitor and a Signal Transduction Inhibitor

The MMTVneu transgenic “oncomouse” model of breast cancer was used to measure the effects of IDO inhibitors and STIs on tumor pathophysiology. The MMTVneu transgenic mouse develops aggressive tumors of the mammary gland that resemble poorly differentiated human ductal carcinomas. In the MMTVneu mouse model, breast cancer is initiated by tissue-specific expression of a mutant form of the HER-2/Neu gene that is activated frequently in aggressive human breast ductal carcinomas. HER-2 is a member of the EGF-R family of cell surface growth factor receptors. Myc is an obligate downstream effector for HER-2/Neu to drive cancer. Female MMTVneu “oncomice” are mated twice to initiate expression from the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter which drives transcription of the Neu/HER2 oncogene in mammary tissue. Mammary tumors arise with a penetrance of >90% in this model system by 5 months of age. MMTVneu “oncomice” bearing similarly sized tumors of ˜150 mm³ were randomly assigned to control or experimental treatment groups. Control mice were implanted with placebo time-release pellets (Innovative Research, Inc., Sarasota, Fla.). Experimental groups of mice were (1) implanted with 1MT-containing time-release pellets, (2) treated with L-744,832, or (3) implanted with 1MT-containing time-release pellets and treated with L-744,832. L-744,832, which mimics the CaaX motif to which the farnesyl group is added, is a potent and selective inhibitor of farnesyl transferase (FTI) (Kohl et al., (1995) Nat Med. 1(8):747-748).

The time-release pellets are comprised of a copolymer which is inert and gradually dissolves and breaks down to a non-toxic substance that remains largely localized during the course of the experiment. Time-release pellets impregnated with 1MT release a dose of 10 mg/day for a period of up to 14 days as documented by the commercial vendor (Innovative Research, Inc., Sarasota, Fla.). Two pellets per mouse were implanted to deliver a total dose of 20 mg/day. Therefore, for a 25 g mouse the total dose is 800 mg/kg/day or 280 mg over a 14 day period. Steady-state levels were reached within 12-24 hours and are maintained throughout the entire period based on the manufacturer's specifications. The delivered dose is effective at eliciting allogenic conceptus rejection (A. Muller, J. B. DuHadaway, G. C. Prendergast, unpublished results) as described by Munn et al. (Science 281:1191-1193, 1998).

Time-release pellets were introduced subcutaneously on the backs of mice anesthetized by intramuscular injection of ketamin/rompun. Blunt dissection with a hemostat is used to separate the skin from the underlying muscle to create a subcutaneous pocket. One or two biodegradable slow release pellets were implanted within this pocket, rather than directly under the incision in order to prevent mechanical stress and wound dehiscence. The incision was then closed with wound clips. Based on the ability of female mice that have been implanted with placebo time-release pellets to carry pregnancies to term, distress from the procedure appears to be negligible.

The signal transduction inhibitors, e.g., FTI L-744,832 were prepared and delivered to the mice as described in Kohl et al. (Nature Med. (1995) 1:792-797).

FIG. 5 summarizes the findings of the experiments to test the ability of 1MT to cooperate with FTI L-744,832 to cause regression of established tumors in MMTVneu “oncomouse” model. During the two week course of the experiment, an elevation of ˜200% in the tumor volume of mock-treated control mice was observed. Treatment of mice with 20 mg/day 1MT, delivered by subcutaneous time-release pellets, retarded but did not block tumor growth. Similarly, treatment of tumor-bearing mice with FTI L-744,832 retarded but did not block tumor growth. In contrast, the combination of 1MT plus L-744,832 treatment caused tumor regression in the model.

EXAMPLE 3 Novel IDO Inhibitors

A variety of compounds were screened for their efficacy as IDO inhibitors. Certain compounds were screened in a biochemical assay as follows. IDO cDNAs were expressed in bacteria as his-tagged proteins and purified as previously described (Littlejohn et al. (2000) Prot. Exp. Purif. 19:22-29). Briefly, the purified IDO was incubated with substrate and varying amounts of the IDO inhibitor candidate. The fluorescence of the reaction mixture was measured to determine the efficacy of the candidate inhibitor because a product of the reaction, kynurenine, is fluorescent. The results of the in vitro biochemical screen are depicted in FIG. 6.

The candidate compounds were also screened in a cell-based assay (for similar assay see Munn et al. (1999) J. Exp. Med. 189:1363-1372). Briefly, human 293/Phoenix cells were transiently transfected with human IDO or TDO cDNA expression vectors. The candidate compounds were added to the transfected cells at various concentrations. Kynurenine was quantitated in tissue culture media using a fluorescence-based protocol. The results from these experiments are presented in FIGS. 7-9.

As noted in these figures, the most potent inhibitors identified are a set of thiohydantoin derivatives of indoleamine. FIG. 8 provides results using these particular inhibitors. The most potent of these inhibitors, methyl-TH-DL-trp, displayed an inhibition of IDO activity 2.7 times greater than 1MT at a concentration of 250 μM (FIG. 9).

In addition to the thiohydantoin derivatives of indoleamine, a group of natural products was screened. Interestingly, effective inhibitors from this group were compounds from foods with cancer preventitive properties (e.g. cruciferous vegetables). Brassinin, a compound found in Chinese cabbage, was scored as the most potent compound among the natural products determined to be IDO inhibitors (FIG. 7A).

The toxicity of certain screened compounds was also examined. As seen in FIG. 10, most IDO inhibitory compounds are not intrinsically growth inhibitory or cytotoxic to neoplastically transformed breast or prostate cancer cells (FIG. 10).

EXAMPLE 4 Combinatorial Treatment of Tumors with an IDO Inhibitor and Cytotoxic Chemotherapeutic Agent

The MMTVneu transgenic “oncomouse” model of breast cancer was also used to measure the effects of IDO inhibition and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents on tumor pathophysiology.

MMTVneu “oncomice” bearing similarly sized tumors of ˜150 mm³ were randomly assigned to control or experimental treatment groups. Control mice were implanted with placebo time-release pellets (Innovative Research, Inc., Sarasota, Fla.). Experimental groups of mice were (1) implanted with 1MT-containing time-release pellets as described in Example 2, (2) treated with paclitaxel (Taxol®) or other cytotoxic agents, or (3) implanted with 1MT-containing time-release pellets and treated with paclitaxel or other cytotoxic agents.

Time-release pellets were introduced subcutaneously on the backs of mice as described in Example 2.

The cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents were prepared and delivered to the mice as follows. Paclitaxel was dissolved in equal volumes of absolute ethanol and the clinically-used solubilizing agent Cremophor® EL. The solution was sonicated up to 30 minutes and stored as a 20 mg/ml stock solution at 4° C. for up to one week. Before use, this solution was diluted further at 1:5 with sterile physiological saline. Paclitaxel formulated in this manner was administered to mice by a single bolus intravenous (i.v.) injection into the tail vein. Mouse tails can be warmed to facilitate identification and injection of the vein. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel (13.3 mg/kg) was delivered five (5) times during the 2 week experiment on a thrice-weekly schedule (i.e., Friday—pellet implantation; Monday/Wednesday/Friday, Monday/Wednesday—paclitaxel inject; Friday—euthanize animals and harvest tumors for analysis). The MTD of cisplatin (1 mg/kg) was obtained as a clinical preparation in saline and delivered as a bolus i.v. injection on the same schedule. Control treated mice received only the Cremophor® EL vehicle formulation without paclitaxel.

FIG. 11 and Table 1 summarize the findings of the experiments to test the ability of 1MT to cooperate with two cytotoxic agents to cause regression of established tumors in MMTVneu “oncomouse” model (see also FIG. 5 for other chemotherapeutic agents). During the two week course of the experiment, an elevation of ˜200% in the tumor volume of mock-treated control mice was observed. Treatment of mice with 20 mg/day 1MT, delivered by subcutaneous time-release pellets, retarded but did not block tumor growth. Similarly, treatment of tumor-bearing mice by intravenous injection of paclitaxel or cisplatin at the maximum-tolerated doses retarded but did not block tumor growth. In contrast, the combination of lMT plus paclitaxel or cisplatin treatment caused tumor regression in the model. Similar results were observed with a reduction of paclitaxel to ˜25% the maximum-tolerated dose (data not shown). Inasmuch as the cytotoxic agents employed in these studies are known to. be toxic to the very T cells that the IDO inhibitors would allow to be recruited and activated, these results are unexpected in view of the prior art.

TABLE 1 1MT Taxol Cisplatin Untreated only only 1MT + Taxol only 1MT + Cisplatin Number of 5 5 5 6 3 3 Mice Number of 5 7 6 9 5 5 Tumors Mean 195.1 80.27 139.4 −30.2 91.35 −27.94 Std. 97.54 73.12 118.1 30.7 118.5 35.1 Deviation Std. Error 43.62 27.64 48.2 10.23 53 15.7 Minimum 122.2 0 20 −78.4 −26.53 −67.86 25% 25 40.25 −56.5 Percentile Median 134.4 72.87 130.4 −23.44 40 −30.56 75% 130.4 247.6 −6.445 Percentile Maximum 336.5 215 360.8 12.5 255.6 14.29 Lower 95% CI 73.95 12.65 15.52 −53.8 −55.79 −71.52 Upper 95% CI 316.2 147.9 263.3 −6.605 238.5 15.64

Statistical analysis of the tumors of MMTVneu mice after various treatments. Numbers are provided as percent change in tumor volume as compared to the tumor volume prior to treatment. Lower and upper 95% Cl indicate lower and upper 95% confidence limits.

Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of tumor sections isolated from the control and experimental cohorts revealed dramatic changes only in the tumor tissues from the mice treated with the combinatorial regiment. Most notably, evidence of pronounced hemorrhage, apoptosis, and infiltration of CD3-positive T cells was seen in the mice that received the combinatorial regiment (data not shown). In conclusion, the combined application of 1MT with cytotoxic agents was efficacious in eliciting regression of established breast tumors in the MMTVneu “oncomouse” model system.

While certain of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and specifically exemplified above, it is not intended that the invention be limited to such embodiments. Various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Several publications and patent documents are cited in this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. The disclosure of each of these citations is incorporated by reference herein. 

1. A method for treating a cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient, concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor and at least one chemotherapeutic agent, wherein said IDO inhibitor is methyl-TH-DL-trp.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, cisplatin, docetaxel, carboplatin, vincristine, vinblastine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, CPT-11, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine, estramustine, carmustine, adriamycin (doxorubicin), etoposide, arsenic trioxide, irinotecan, and epbthilone derivatives.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one chemotherapeutic agent is paclitaxel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one IDO inhibitor and said at least one chemotherapeutic agent are administered concurrently.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one IDO inhibitor and said at least one chemotherapeutic agent are administered sequentially.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one IDO inhibitor is administered before said at least one chemotherapeutic agent.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one chemotherapeutic agent is administered before said at least one IDO inhibitor.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of cancers of the prostate, colorectum, pancreas, cervix, stomach, endometrium, brain, liver, bladder, ovary, testis, head, neck, skin, mesothelial lining, white blood cell, esophagus, breast, muscle, connective tissue, lung, adrenal gland, thyroid, kidney, or bone; melanoma, basal carcinoma, lymphoma, leukemia, small-cell lung carcinoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma, glioblastoma, mesothelioma, renal cell carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, sarcoma, choriocarcinoma, cutaneous basocellular carcinoma, and testicular seminoma.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of ovarian cancer, leukemia, melanoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said cancer is breast cancer.
 11. A method for treating a cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient, concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of at least one indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor and at least one chemotherapeutic agent, wherein said IDO inhibitor is 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan, wherein said cancer is breast cancer, and wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is cisplatin.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one IDO inhibitor and said at least one chemotherapeutic agent are administered concurrently.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one IDO inhibitor and said at least one chemotherapeutic agent are administered sequentially.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one IDO inhibitor is administered before said at least one chemotherapeutic agent.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one chemotherapeutic agent is administered before said at least one IDO inhibitor. 